The Friends of Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) was founded in London in 1968 by Sangharakshita. FWBO is an ecumenical movement, aligned to no one traditional school, but drawing on the whole stream of Buddhist inspiration. The FWBO has evolved new structures that allow people to live out Buddhist teachings as an authentic Buddhist way of life in the 21st century. For example, the FWBO has many public centres where meditation is taught, and promotes ‘Right Livelihood’ projects in which Buddhists can work together and turn their work into a spiritual practice.
In the last 40 years the FWBO has grown into a movement with dozens of centres all over the world. And not only in the West — the FWBO has a substantial presence in India, as well as Dharma activities in other developing countries. The FWBO is entering a new phase of growth and consolidation, learning from, and building upon its history, and developing into a broad-based, mature and experienced spiritual community. It is playing a significant role in bringing Buddhism to the West.